_________________If you spit on my food I will blow your forking head off, you filthy shitdog. - MumblesDon't you know that vegan meat is the gateway drug to chicken addiction? Because GMO and trans-fats. - kaerlighed

And sorry to take so long answering everything. Yes, there is a U of A health/dental plan for grad students - it covers about 80% of everything and there are certain places where you can go and get an extra discount, which is always nice. There is a pharmacy on-campus in the bookstore, and lots of anything else you may need. Transit is alright I guess - the train system isn't that great, but I find the buses okay. I live about 5 blocks from Whyte Ave and only 3 blocks from 109 Street (a main artery in the city), and there are tons of buses that go everywhere I essentially need them to. The winters are super cold, and walking back and forth can be rough, but long underwear are definitely a life-saver. You'll need a warm pair of boots (preferably waterproof as it gets slushy when the weather warms up a little), warm hat and gloves (I wore 2 pairs of heavy gloves some days, but I am always cold), and a heavy coat.

Hello again! Does anybody live near the U of A campus? I am looking at a basement suite on 113th and 75th. Is that a good area - ie. close to grocery stores that sell lots of produce and other vegany things? I know it's only a few blocks from the LRT and about 1 km to my building on campus. Also, if you guys rent, how much can I expect to pay in utilities? The last place I rented had it all included so I really have no idea.

I live near the university. Are you in Edmonton now? There used to be an old IGA grocery store around there but I think it closed.....it is certainly close to LRT which will be helpful. A few stops south on the LRT is Southgate shopping centre and they have a big safe-way and I find safe-way to be good in terms of carrying organics and Gardein products. Closest grocery stores within walking distance would be Sobeys on 112st and Whyte ave (so about 7 blocks N) and another Safe-way at 109th street and Whyte Ave. Planet organic is on Calgary Trail and 80 ave. I can't help you in terms of what to expect to pay in utilities. Maybe others might know.

BUT, speaking of Sobeys by the university, I sometimes stop by there on my way to work and make a little salad to go with my lunch. Just some greens, cukes, fruit, etc and they always have some meat/dairy protein. So, one morning when I was paying at the till, I mentioned to the cashier that it'd be nice to have vegan sources of protein and could she maybe pass that on to the "salad bar people". The next week I went in and low and behold, tofu and chickpeas! I was really happy to see that so I wrote a little email to that Sobeys to thank them. I received an email from the manager asking me for some other suggestions, so I suggested, bake/seasoned/grilled tofu, falafel, beans, grain/rice among other things. A few days later, I stopped by and guess what! Baked tofu, falafel, and wild rice were on the salad bar. So, just wanted to let you know that if you are in university area and looking for some options, head to Sobeys. I was impressed with her responsiveness.

So great that you are moving to the city almiratanner! kecapcrazy pretty much covered the grocery stores in the area where you are looking. I live close to the planet organic mentioned, and in the same plaza-type area is a save on foods grocery store, which is my favourite in the area. It's slightly cheaper than safeway, and carries a great selection of produce (bot organic and non-organic), tofu, all kinds of gardien, soy/rice/almond/coconut milk (and hemp too I think). They also carry a few Amy's, Sol, and other products like that. Their natural foods section is also quite good, with Imagine brand soups, good cereals (great sales sometimes too), vegan toothpaste, good coffee, etc.

As for utilities, it depends on if you are splitting it with the upstairs apartment, type of heating in the place, and if you are including internet and stuff as well a water/power/heat/etc. I know we pay half of utilities (basement apartment pays other half), but internet and cable are included fully with the rent. Our half works out to an extra $100 to $150 a month depending on the time of year. Unfortunately, most of this is service fees and that type of thing more than usage.

Thanks guys! I've signed my 'rental application', whatever that is. The place we decided to go with is a bit pricier than what we were looking for, but I didn't realize Edmonton would be so expensive. Oh well. Do you think it is unreasonable for me to expect to walk 1-1.5 km to school/LRT during the freezing winter?

Nope! Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that! I think Field Roast is a Washington product but I'm not sure. But nope, it's super hard to find in BC. Karmavore in New Westminster carries it, and to my knowledge, that is it. You guys are lucky! :)

Edmonton! Mike/SOS and I are coming to visit July 21 - 25! We don't have a lot of time, so I'm not sure if we'll be able to do a meetup or anything, but get in touch if you would like to come out and have a drink with us or something like that. Also, what are the current hot spots for vegan food in Deadmonton? I'm definitely going to hit up Padmanadi, but I'm not sure where else to go. Any place with good vegan breakfasts these days?

_________________If you spit on my food I will blow your forking head off, you filthy shitdog. - MumblesDon't you know that vegan meat is the gateway drug to chicken addiction? Because GMO and trans-fats. - kaerlighed